Smith rebuts Murgon criticism

MURGON businessman Mark Smith has given a strongly worded rebuttal to Melbourne blogger Christopher Welldon over his opinions on the town.

Mr Welldon, a writer in the TV industry, started a blog documenting memories of the 60 towns he had lived in. But his opinion of Murgon that was based on a few months of living there as a child was unrecognisable to the community that Mr Smith knew.

"I came to Murgon in 1975," Mr Smith said.

"But unlike old mate, I found mateship, fantastic sporting clubs and team-mates."

Mr Smith pointed to the $70,000 raised for Shona Muckert's operation and the quick rehoming of a family who lost their house in a fire as examples of the friendly, close-knit community.

"It's not just a town - it's a community," he said.

"We just look out for each other here."

Over the years, he said it was common for outsiders to count the town out, but Murgon always bounced back. He said if Mr Welldon were to come back to Murgon, he might form a different view than the one he had from childhood.

"I see plenty of happiness around Murgon," he said.

"I'd say to him, come back here and have a look around at what a great place it is and you will probably realise you were